Tourna Big Hitter Black 7

steve I,
p99 was stating exactly the opposite, that the thinner string (17ga) is stiffer than the thicker one (16ga), which in my opinion is not the case and the physical measurements (both rsi and twu) don't back up that theory as well.

If you take two strings of the same length but different diameters and place them under the same tension, the thinner string will vibrate faster(higher pitch) when struck or plucked.
Thinner string also weighs less, making the racquet a bit more head-light.
Perhaps this is contributing to the 'stiffness' that you are feeling.

steve I,
p99 was stating exactly the opposite, that the thinner string (17ga) is stiffer than the thicker one (16ga), which in my opinion is not the case and the physical measurements (both rsi and twu) don't back up that theory as well.

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Yes.. he is wrong in general terms. I am not sure where he got his theory..??

No. A thinner gauge of the same string will be less durable and less stiff. Just a matter of simple physics.

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I believe the point is with the same string but different gauge, a 17 will string up tighter than a 16. So it will have a higher string bed stiffness. A thinner string stretches more under the same tension than a thicker one. Just a matter of simple physics.

I believe the point is with the same string but different gauge, a 17 will string up tighter than a 16. So it will have a higher string bed stiffness. A thinner string stretches more under the same tension than a thicker one. Just a matter of simple physics.

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You clearly don't any clue what you're talking about (which isn't surpsingly given the rest of your posts).

Go string a 16 and 17 on an eCP machine and take some DT measurements.

Then come back post again, and tell the world that you were wrong. Again.

i'm not a pro stringer, but i've been stringing for quite a while now. when i want the same feel of the stringbed, i usually go down 1kg if i string a 1.25mm as opposed to a 1.20mm in order to obtain what i feel would be the same touch off the stringbed.

maybe i'm wrong and my "feel" is weird, but that's not only what i do, but what a lot of people i am in contact with and who string do as well.

scientifically we might be wrong and i also await the much sought after expert expertise.

Hey, anyone with one of those string tension measuring tools ever measure the tension on this string from start to the time it breaks??

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I string my full bhb7 bed at 48 lbs on my string way. This measures at 50 lbs right off the machine and after the initial tension drop it loses about 5% down to 47 lb range. After the first hit it loses another 3-4 lbs and stays at this range for a few hours of hitting. It then drops a second time to around 40 lbs and while it still feels pretty good to hit with, it's in this range where it is about to pop. My racquet is a babalot pure storm tour.

After two weeks with BHBlack 17, strung at 58lbs main 57lbs crosses on PDR+ cortex, playing 3 hours 4-5 times a week with 4.0 and 4.5 players (they rate me as 4.0 while I rate myself as 4.0 doubles and 3.75 singles with mostly eastern forehand and two handed backhand)

A note on the durability is that the string starts rounding out and losing its heptagonal geometry (mostly in the middle crosses) after the first week but the strings wont be breaking anytime soon. I mostly serve and volley which is almost every point in doubles and 3/4 of the points in singles.

BHB7 is still on my list of a possible go to. Slice spin production is just sick with this string, making it really addicting. But tension maintainance is the biggest issue for me. Only after 5hrs. of hitting, tension drops 8lbs. and the strings no longer stay in place. Therefore, that initial bite and crispness is no longer prominent and becomes a bit mushy and dead. So cost effectiveness is what keeps me searching.
Restringing every 3 days will burn thru my wallet too fast!

I'm noticing the same thing. I REALLY liked the string when freshly strung. 5.5 hours of heavy hitting in a week and the strings are starting to move and the texture is gone in the sweet spot. I'm going to put another 6 hours on it (or till it breaks) this week and see just how bad it gets.

I guess if I have to restring it once a week its not the end of the world... reels are cheap enough. Now to find something cheap that I can cross with it. I wonder if hexy fibre would be any good... (same shape?)

Played 2 hours tonight. The BHB7 went board stiff about 30 minutes into the session. I kept playing to see what would happen as I normally don't have arm issues. I was surprised that the poly did not break. It continued to stiffen as time went on until it literally became as hard as a steel rod. I let my hitting partner try it out and he was surprised how stiff it became.

Strung at 54/56 Bhb7 17g/ ogsm 18g in a Yonex Rdis 98 16/19.

So I guess that unless I restring ever 4 to 5 hours this isn't going to work for me.

Played 2 hours tonight. The BHB7 went board stiff about 30 minutes into the session. I kept playing to see what would happen as I normally don't have arm issues. I was surprised that the poly did not break. It continued to stiffen as time went on until it literally became as hard as a steel rod. I let my hitting partner try it out and he was surprised how stiff it became.

Strung at 54/56 Bhb7 17g/ ogsm 18g in a Yonex Rdis 98 16/19.

So I guess that unless I restring ever 4 to 5 hours this isn't going to work for me.

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That is strange. Bhb7 only gets more forgiving for me until it snaps. I find it doesnt have that feeling of stiffening that most polys get as they lose tension or dead. As it loses tension the power increases and becomes to trampoline like. I string mine 47 or 48 lbs in a full bed however.

I know. That's exactly what I was expecting and would have been fine with that. That's definitely not what happened however. When I say hard, I mean like steel hard. I wonder if it was because I started it at such a high tension.

When I string something like MSV Co-focus that high it doesn't react even remotely the same way.

Have any of you guys tried hybrid'ing this with natural gut? I'm a total non-string breaker (years for restringing) and usually run natural gut on Prokennex 5G and Redondo racquets because they're easier on the arm and still maintain feel after that long.

Been thinking about trying this after playing a guy who was using some textured poly and really putting crazy amounts of spin on the ball (something I've never been able to do w/ my racquets)-:
Asked the Tourna folks if it cuts strings faster and they said it does tend to, so it might not be a good idea to use it w/ gut but thought I'd ask if anyone has tried to confirm?

I've been using TBHB7 in the mains with Signum Pro Firestorm in the crosses. Great spin, comfortable and easy power strung at 54/54 on my rad pro. Didn't have a problem with tension maintenance- I've been breaking the string at the 5-6 hour mark and it plays well up until about a half hour before breaking.

Decided to give this stuff a try in my PST, and wow - it's a great match to the frame. Had been using RIP Control, but during my morning match, the ball was flying on me. Had a lot of WTF moments where the ball was sailing, and it was strung fresh last night. On a whim, I had decided to toss in a set of BHB7 on my 3rd frame just in case, and pulled that frame out in my second match. I actually got MORE pop, and the control was excellent. Best part about it for me is that while it has good control and spin, it doesn't feel dead like a lot of poly strings - it feels much better to me than B5E, and has quite a bit more power.

Going to put another set in my primary frame (lucky me - I have 2 matched PST, and then one that is 7g lighter, and one that is 5g heavier.....blech) and give it a shot tomorrow. I think I may have found a go-to poly seeing as how it's not even $100 for a reel - figure even if I have to restring weekly, that's not too bad for good performance.

Played 2 hours tonight. The BHB7 went board stiff about 30 minutes into the session. I kept playing to see what would happen as I normally don't have arm issues. I was surprised that the poly did not break. It continued to stiffen as time went on until it literally became as hard as a steel rod. I let my hitting partner try it out and he was surprised how stiff it became.

Strung at 54/56 Bhb7 17g/ ogsm 18g in a Yonex Rdis 98 16/19.

So I guess that unless I restring ever 4 to 5 hours this isn't going to work for me.

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Sorry just the opposite for me. Played stiff at 1st.. hard to get power at times. When the stringbed become less stiff the magic happened with me. BTW... I was using BHB7 17G / Gamma Syn Gut 16G 54/50. I use a lower tension on the crosses to open up the sweetspot and create a bit more power and soften the stringbed. I see you did the opposite.. maybe that is the key???

Sorry just the opposite for me. Played stiff at 1st.. hard to get power at times. When the stringbed become less stiff the magic happened with me. BTW... I was using BHB7 17G / Gamma Syn Gut 16G 54/50. I use a lower tension on the crosses to open up the sweetspot and create a bit more power and soften the stringbed. I see you did the opposite.. maybe that is the key???

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It was just the opposite for me as well, started out stiff then loosened up nicely and hit really great for 8 or 9 hours, then it got a little too loose, snapping soon after. Just about right for a poly. Two things really stuck out - incredible comfort, i forgot i was using a poly, and incredible directional control, better than any string i've ever tried in that area.

Curious if the 17 gauge BHB7 is better for an 18x20 pattern. I read it is rather thin. What would you guys suggest?

I currently have cyclone 18 and nvy 17 in. It plays rather well, I just find the feel of the cyclone slightly stiff. Would I notice any differences with the BHB7? It seems there was a huge gold rush on this string and it has settled down, so possibly people have moved on?

starting taking the journey down in tension with full BHB7..
now i'm 50/48.
don't really like the sound when i hit.
and also not too comfi for my taste.
i guess i'm not into full poly generally.
BUT-
otherwise it performs nice and clean with good spin of course.
so i'm gonna keep on going down.
how much would you advice me to go down on the next stringing?
strait to 30's? or more slowly?

All kinds of excitement when this string came out but the honeymoon period seems to be over. The TW "customer reviews" since all the activity here have been mixed. I can't comment as I haven't tried the string. I would also like to know if it is worth the small price increase over BHBR.

The truth is no one can actually help you with your question. Many questions here about strings can only be answered by one person: the user. It's like when someone says "Gosen is great as a cross, but plays poorly as a fullbed." I happen to like Gosen as a fullbed. I don't think it's spectacular by any means, but I string for a guy, who is very much on par with me skill-wise, who does. It's certainly not surprising, however, given its popularity to come across people who don't care for it, who think that those who do are nuts.

It simply depends on the person doing the swinging. The best advice, especially if you string your own, and I get the impression you do, is to make small changes (up or down) until you reach a tension that works for you and your game.

The truth is no one can actually help you with your question. Many questions here about strings can only be answered by one person: the user. It's like when someone says "Gosen is great as a cross, but plays poorly as a fullbed." I happen to like Gosen as a fullbed. I don't think it's spectacular by any means, but I string for a guy, who is very much on par with me skill-wise, who does. It's certainly not surprising, however, given its popularity to come across people who don't care for it, who think that those who do are nuts.

It simply depends on the person doing the swinging. The best advice, especially if you string your own, and I get the impression you do, is to make small changes (up or down) until you reach a tension that works for you and your game.

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ha ha, i'm kinda proud i fooled ya...
but seriously, i guess i was asking if there's really any use of going down slowly, apart from getting used to low tension?
i mean, if the 50/48 now still feels a bit harsh and lack of feeling, wouldn't it be relatively safe to go at least 5lb down? or even more?
i know i'm the only one who could really know, but still i was hoping for someone who went down with the BHB7 and share some thoughts.

strange that nobody here bothers to even answer or help my question above...
maybe the BHB7 is not good on lower tensions.

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There probably aren't that many people that care about this string at the moment. You had 670 posts here in the first 6-months the string was out. In the last 6-months there have been 20 replies in this thread. That is usually an indication that the hype has worn off and people have realized it's just another poly.

There probably aren't that many people that care about this string at the moment. You had 670 posts here in the first 6-months the string was out. In the last 6-months there have been 20 replies in this thread. That is usually an indication that the hype has worn off and people have realized it's just another poly.

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so you mean every poly is just another poly?
BHB7 has it's own characteristics and it's pretty good for a poly IMO at it's price.
now i'm confused.. :?
well, hype or no hype even if it's a just decent good poly
i'm sure there are still enough people using it that's why i find it strange.
(or maybe i'm totally off the radar)

There probably aren't that many people that care about this string at the moment. You had 670 posts here in the first 6-months the string was out. In the last 6-months there have been 20 replies in this thread. That is usually an indication that the hype has worn off and people have realized it's just another poly.

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My take is that here are so many polys out there and the folks here tend to try all of them. The bottom line with this string is that it is a very good price/performer and the RSI review also indicates the same. Folks tend also not to answer when there is 35 pages of feeback, a TW review, customer feedback and a very positive and well done RSI review to read. The regulars here are sort of sick of answering questions that have been asked over and over and over...not to mention the newbies that can't seem to do a basic search to find info. This thread has been active for almost a year. Some very good folks tested this product and they have moved on. How much can you add to a thread... buy a fews sets a low price of under $9.00 and take a chance. Yikes...it is not the best string in the world.. but a great string for the price.

With our playtesters rating Big Hitter Black 7 well above average or better in eight out of nine categories, it’s fitting that Big Hitter Black 7’s overall average score is the tenth highest of all time. If you recommend Big Hitter Black 7 to customers looking for more spin, the combination of the geometric cross-section and the on-court performance will convince them that you know your stuff.

Playtester comments

“Who says you can’t have it all? This string has an incredible combination of spin, control, comfort, and power. It handles low tensions very well. If you haven’t tried a co-poly yet, this is where you should start.” 4.5 male all court player using Babolat Pure Drive Roddick strung at 47 pounds CP (Solinco Tour Bite 18)

“This is the best poly I’ve ever used. It has amazing feel. Slice backhands are absolutely piercing. Spin artists will enjoy it more than flat hitters.” 5.5 male all court player using Wilson K Six One (16x18) strung at 55 pounds CP (Prince Synthetic Gut Original/Tecnifibre Black Code 17/17)

“This string ages nicely. After two hours, the ball starts to explode off the strings. This is recommended to players who want to know where the beef is.” 4.5 male serve-and-volley player using Head Youtek Prestige MP strung at 53 pounds CP (Wilson Hollow Core 16)

Folks tend also not to answer when there is 35 pages of feeback, a TW review, customer feedback and a very positive and well done RSI review to read. The regulars here are sort of sick of answering questions that have been asked over and over and over..

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if you were referring to me personally- after reading all the BHB7 and low tension threads i never found any thorough answer to using it at 30-40's so i keep on asking.

so you mean every poly is just another poly?
BHB7 has it's own characteristics and it's pretty good for a poly IMO at it's price.
now i'm confused.. :?
well, hype or no hype even if it's a just decent good poly
i'm sure there are still enough people using it that's why i find it strange.
(or maybe i'm totally off the radar)

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Most things here follow the same pattern. There is a lot of anticipation and then excitement when the new product is released. After 3-6 months the honeymoon period is over and most of those people move on to the next big thing.

The days of getting dozens of responses in this thread are long gone. The 17-ga. has only six customer reviews on the TW product page and half of them are mediocre. That's what I mean by "just another poly".

I haven't tried it which is why I also posted a question yesterday. I'm not surprised though that there aren't many people posting.

Most things here follow the same pattern. There is a lot of anticipation and then excitement when the new product is released. After 3-6 months the honeymoon period is over and most of those people move on to the next big thing.

The days of getting dozens of responses in this thread are long gone. The 17-ga. has only six customer reviews on the TW product page and half of them are mediocre. That's what I mean by "just another poly".

I haven't tried it which is why I also posted a question yesterday. I'm not surprised though that there aren't many people posting.

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Again.... why would anyone post when there is tons of info already. When you get to a few thousand posts .. you will understand why folks stop posting. A poly that is rated #1 for spin is not just another poly. Dense or what??

Again.... why would anyone post when there is tons of info already. When you get to a few thousand posts .. you will understand why folks stop posting. A poly that is rated #1 for spin is not just another poly. Dense or what??

Again.... why would anyone post when there is tons of info already. When you get to a few thousand posts .. you will understand why folks stop posting. A poly that is rated #1 for spin is not just another poly. Dense or what??

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Ahhh, now I see why you are so sensitive. You started the thread and are the one pushing the string so it turns into name calling if people don't wet themselves over it. Gotta love the internet.